Oh... Hello, Meat!

Somewhere in August of 2011 I quit eating meat. I had no real reason other than my body simply did not want it anymore. Many months before that I had quit eating cheese and all of its friends and I also cut waaaay back on my intake of fried foods. For the first few months, I had a relatively healthy diet of natural carbs, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Slowly, more processed and "unhealthy" food started creeping back into my lifestyle. A few weeks ago, I noticed that I was starting to crave meat. Not in a barbaric, drag-a-woman-by-the-hair sort of way, but more in a, holy moly... I want a Publix Boar's Head chicken sub with all the veggies on it and I want it NOW! way.
Two weeks ago during snack time (Yes, we have snack time. We had to set a time because kids were grumbling that they were hungry. Let's face it, it's hard for adults to go that long without eating. Plus, when you're hungry, it's harder to focus and I need my students to be able to focus.) one of my students pulled out her lunch box. I assumed she was going for a small bag of chips, perhaps an apple, maybe? Nope. She pulled out a six-inch sub from Publix. She carefully laid it out on her desk and I saw how neatly arranged all the vegetables looked on top of the sliced deli meat.  She looked up at me and smiled sweetly, that innocent smile that kids seem to have. I had to walk away. It was either that or I shout, "LOOK! Justin Bieber!" and grab her sandwich and run. I figured stealing wasn't the way to go, so I pushed the desire of wanting meat out of my head and continued on with my day.

Fast forward to this week... It was teacher appreciated week and that meant we had lunch catered every day. I usually ignore this and plan for myself anyway, since I know people tend to cater to the carnivores. (Like I always say, the picky ones aren't allowed to complain!) This time I didn't. Monday we had sandwich rings from Publix. Tuesday we had BBQ pulled pork. I had both lunches both days. I guess I can no longer call myself a pescatarian. Wednesday and Thursday it was more meat. I ate the lunches that were given to me each day, and you know what? It was amazing. I had fully expected to get really sick from it, and I didn't.

Now, I must add that each evening I felt incredibly crabby. I know that our country's meat is overflowing with hormones and chemicals and I can't help but wonder if that didn't play a part in my in crabbiness. I will try and not use meat as the scapegoat for my crabby mood over the last week. (How do you think goat would taste over a place of greens?)

I think the worst part is answering everyone's questions about my decision to change. As of now, I can't say whether or not I will continue eating meat. Maybe I'll put it on my "special occasions" list.